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1.3 Scope of “Bahá’í Scholarship” From a Letter Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice 14: “At this early stage in the development of the Faith, it would not…” |
The House of Justice advises you not to attempt to define
too narrowly the form that Bahá’í scholarship should take, or the
approach that scholars should adopt. Rather should you strive
to develop within your Association respect for a wide range of
approaches and endeavours. No doubt there will be some Bahá’ís
who will wish to work in isolation, while others will desire
consultation and collaboration with those having similar interests.
Your aim should be to promote an atmosphere of mutual respect and
tolerance within which will be included scholars whose principal
interest is in theological issues as well as those scholars whose
interests lie in relating the insights provided by the Bahá’í
teachings to contemporary thought in the arts and sciences.
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A similar diversity should characterize the endeavours
pursued by Bahá’í scholars, accommodating their interests
and skills as well as the needs of the Faith. The course of
world events, the development of new trends of thought and the
extension of the teaching work all tend to highlight attractive
and beneficial areas to which Bahá’í scholars might well direct
their attention. Likewise, the expansion of the activities of the
Bahá’í International Community in its relationship with United
Nations agencies and other international bodies creates attractive
opportunities for scholars to make a direct and highly valued
contribution to the enhancement of the prestige of the Faith and
to its proclamation within an influential and receptive stratum of
society. As the Bahá’í community continues to emerge inexorably
from obscurity, it will be confronted by enemies, from both within
and without, whose aim will be to malign and misrepresent its
principles, so that its admirers might be disillusioned and the
faith of its adherents might be shaken; Bahá’í scholars have
a vital role to play in the defence of the Faith through their
contribution to anticipatory measures and their response to
defamatory accusations levelled against the Faith.
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Thus, there should be room within the scope of Bahá’í scholarship to
accommodate not only those who are interested in theological issues and in the
historical origins of the Faith, but also those who are interested in relating
the Bahá’í Teachings to their field of academic or professional interest, as
well as those believers who may lack formal academic qualifications but who
have, through their perceptive study of the Teachings, acquired insights which
are of interest to others….
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The House of Justice wishes to avoid use of the terms “Bahá’í scholarship”
and “Bahá’í scholars” in an exclusive sense, which would effectively establish
a demarcation between those admitted into this category and those denied
entrance to it. It is clear that such terms are relative, and that what is
a worthy scholarly endeavour by a Bahá’í, when compared to the activities of
those with whom he is in contact, may well be regarded as of vastly lesser
significance when measured against the accomplishments of the outstanding
scholars which the Faith has produced. The House of Justice seeks the creation
of a Bahá’í community in which the members encourage each other, where there is
respect for accomplishment, and a common realization that every one is, in his
or her own way, seeking to acquire a deeper understanding of the Revelation of
Bahá’u’lláh and to contribute to the advancement of the Faith.
(19 October 1993 to an individual believer) [14] |